Gown Fantastic:
Red Carpet at Fashion's Night Out 2012 Beverly Center: NIKOLAKI Couture gowns displayed at the FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition, Beverly Center Photo Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography
A little over two weeks ago was Fashion's Night Out all over the US--and the World, on September 6th. If you've been following my travails, travels and this blog, you may remember that on that date, I was in New York City celebrating Fashion's Night Out at the Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Flagship with hundreds of shoppers and "Project Runway" fans who came out to "hang out" with the Project Runway Designers--including moi, of course. I was also there to unveil the dress I designed for the first ever "Project Runway 10th Anniversary Dress Collection".
It was a blast of course, but all the way on the other side of the country--on the West Coast, my dresses were also been exhibited but without me unfortunately--at the exciting "FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition" at the Beverly Center.
Left to right: Lucy Hale, Lisa Love and Kendall Jenner, Fashion's Night Out 2012 Beverly Center Photo Courtesy of Andrew Furnevel PhotographyThe Beverly Center was the epicenter of LA's FNO events. The night was launched by Vogue West Coast Editor Lisa Love, actress and singer Lucy Hale and reality show lovely Kendall Jenner (of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians"). This happened on September 6 and then from Friday September 7th-Sunday September 9th, the Beverly Center had a special tableaux in the Center Court of Level 6, showing designs from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Debut Designers.
Photo Courtesy of Andrew Furnevel PhotographyFIDM Debut is the Advanced Fashion design program of the college I attended and graduated from. I was a Debut student--back "in the day" (don't EVEN think about finding out the YEAR!)--and so my Alma Mater asked me if I could lend them some of my NIKOLAKI red carpet creations to be displayed as part of this three-day exhibition--alongside other Debut graduates (some of which I was their instructor!).
The Exhibition: FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition, Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out WeekendPhoto Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography
The other FIDM Debut Designers that were featured in the exhibition included Brenda Ahamad, Randy Lee Donato, Justin Green, Paul Hernandez, Michael Pinpin, Natalia Romano, Clay Sadler and Valentina Vardanyan. I never got to see the actual display since I was out of town and it came down before I returned to Los Angeles, but luckily, my "friends" at FIDM took these pics here.
Here are a couple more photos of the exhibition:
View from Above: FIDM Debut Designer Exhibition Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out 2012 WeekendPhoto Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography
FIDM Debut Tableaux: Gowns from FIDM Debut Graduates/Designers, Beverly Center Fashion's Night Out 2012 WeekendPhoto Courtesy of Brian Sanderson, FIDM Publications Photography
Episode 11 Project Runway Muse: a "Real Care Baby" doll 
Heidi Klum and her "Truly Scrumptious" line of children's clothing for Babies "R" Us
Designers Meet Mommies and Babies---Episode 11 Project Runway Season 10
No Mommy Zone: Season 10 designers and their fake babies
Boris and Natasha Have Babies
Designer Christopher Palu and his Diva Mom Client, Nanci--Episode 11 Project Runway Season 10
Baby Dior red tulle baby dress
Guest judge actress and new mom, Hilary Duff (above), was on hand to see who was IN and who was OUT this week...
Dmitry Sholokhov: one of my top faves was the look Dmitry designed--a very cute red hooded onsesie jumper that was very "FASHION" and had hints of a Superhero Halloween Costume--or at least, one of a CRAYOLA crayon one:
Crayola and Superman Baby Costumes
Truly Scrumptious Boy and Girl: The Winning Boy and Girl Looks from Episode 11--Project Runway Season 10
Heidi Klum with the Boy and Girl Winning Looks for her "Truly Scrumptious" Childrenswear line at Babies "R" Us
Season 10 Contestants/Designers Elena Slivnyak and Melissa Fleis were the bottom vote-getters. Elena's was TOO MUCHEEY. Michael Kors thought it was very "Sample Sale" (she's right). And Melissa's white too-short/too-tight dress with bland black jacket was...THE WORST. In my eyes. However. Melissa stayed and Elena was OUT.
Season 10 designers Melissa Fleis (top photo)and Elena Slivnyak (bottom)--Project Runway Season 10
It's OCTOBER and Macy's is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month this month--and I am excited to be part of it! I'm so honored to announce that I will be hosting TWO FABULOSO events--one in Chicago on October 10th and one in Santa Clara/San Jose on October 13th---to honor Hispanic Heritage Month. In case you didn't realize, I speak 
We're almost at the end, kiddies. This week's Project Runway Season 10 episode, entitled "Finale, Part 1", dealt with the top four finalists of this season--Dmitry Sholokhov, Fabio Costa, Melissa Fleis and Christopher Palu--getting their so-called "Final Challenge" (so-called because you never know if next week will bring a "Twist" and maybe yet another final-final challenge)--which is to design their Mercedes-Benz NY Spring 2013 Fashion Week mini-collection with $9,000 and five weeks. In case you guys wonder what happens to those collections, the designer's don't even own them; the show does. And then they go up for auction. So, you could buy your collection back, I guess (if you are one of the designers). Anyhow, several things stood out from this episode, and I wish I could say that the outstanding clothes was one of those things, but sadly, they were not. As always, I will finish this blog with my Recap...
Who Are Dmitry and Fabio's Sugar Daddy? Seriously. The designers went "home" , yet for two of the designers--Dmitry and Fabio--they admitted to Tim (when he visited) that they were "using" their "friend's places" while designing their collections (and I'm assuming to live there as well). Needless to say, these places were FAB-u-LOUS! From the looks of it, Dmitry and Fabio do not need the $100,000 prize money and should just ask these friends for "loans"--or make them their "Business Associates".
First, Tim checks in on Fabio--who is in a MASSIVE (for New York City standards) Manhattan loft/apartment where he is working on his pastel colored "Cosmic Tribalism" collection. Even Tim notes on the size and niceness of the place. 
Then, he's off to Jersey City, New Jersey where again, another designer--Dmitry--says a "friend" lent him this fabulously appointed place to make his collection.
Tim also goes to Massapequa, NY--this time to check in on Christopher Paul where he lives (I think) with his mom and dad. I've dubbed Palu the "Golden Boy" of the season and he's also the "Taylor Swift" of the season, in that EVERY SINGLE TIME he wins, he does this "Awe shucks, really? Me??" By the third time, it got a little schticky. He's still cute though.
To finish his Season 10 Home Visits Tour, Tim Gunn heads West, to San Francisco to see Melissa. He checks on her collection, meets the family and takes a boat ride. If it was me, I would've taken him to a Leather Bar in the Castro. Just sayin'.
After five weeks, the designers return to NYC to face the judges and show three of their "best" looks, to see who really will continue on to Lincoln Center. No guest judges this time (like in Season 9), just Nina, Michael and Heidi:
They all have positives and negatives to say but in general, they all feel that some styling help is very much needed. Dmitry, Fabio, Christopher AND Melissa all had styling issues--whether it was a too-clunky shoe, bad wigs, hoochie ensembles...it was a big letdown.
I'm really wondering if next week, Rachel Zoe is coming in for a quick "intervention" prior to the Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week. But then, I realized "wait, she's on another network...that ain't happening!". So, let's go through the TOP FOUR Finalists' designs:
I really like Christopher (I don't know him personally but I mean his designs)--and I think what he showed was SO Junior Department. I mean Forever 21 ALREADY has this in their stores. It's not a bad thing unless you're trying to show innovative, break-through, heart-pumping FASHION (with a Capital "F"). 
Christopher Palu or Forever 21?
Dmitry showed very elegant, chic pieces. The ivory sheath dress with sheer panels was superb and I liked the jacket on the right but...
This ensemble was a mess. Those pants are SWIMMING on the model. About two sizes too big. If you are going to do loose/slouchy, do it. But this is a bad fit. And together with the sheer top and bra...Ayyy Dios Mio! Rachel Zoe: Dmitry needs you.
A) I liked the color splashes here and there (you know I LOVE me some color!). 
B) I liked this uniquely draped dress and the necklace was sooo Italian Gallery Owner Diva, but...yeah, those wigs. At first, they were pretty cool, kinda Haider Ackermann-meets-Tilda Swinton but I can understand why Michael Kors felt that they were a bit distracting. Speaking of distracting:
Those shoes!! Grey lace-up booties for Spring 2013. Not sure. And with a loosely draped easy-breezy Summer side-cowl dress? Not so muchey.
Melissa's three looks were a big disappointment. Hot shorts again (like Christopher). This time, shown with a scoop-cut-out knit sweater top. And a BAD wig. Then, there was this cropped jacket with an oversized collar and cuffs. CUT those cuffs off. Please. And the slouchy drop-crotch pants. Cute on skinny gay boys. Not so much on the model.
Oh, yes, she also did a dress. That a girl can already find at your local Macy's. I am sure. Now, about those wigs: PLEASE Melissa, I really hope you rethink this...
Oh Wait! She did!! (Yeayyy!!) Above is a photo from Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week and one of the looks from Melissa's finale collection. And it looks like she also got rid of them "Fashion School Student 101" oversized cuffs...and re-did the pants as well. Thank Goodness.
